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Bashed bridge upgrade an 'unfunded aspiration'

Phil ShepkaCambridgeshire political reporter
Cambridgeshire Police The back of a silver van that has become stuck under a bridge. The back doors have been wedged against the bridge - which has bright yellow stripes and yellow letters reading, Low bridge - 2.0m - 6'-6''.Cambridgeshire Police
The two-metre (6ft 6in) Stonea underpass, on the B1098 between Chatteris and March, goes under the main Ely to Peterborough railway line

Upgrading a level crossing at one of Britain's most frequently struck railway bridges remains an "unfunded aspiration", according to Network Rail.

The Stonea Road bridge, near March in Cambridgeshire, was the joint second "most bashed", with 17 strikes recorded between 2023 and 2024 - although residents believe the true number is much higher.

The ex-chief inspector of railways Ian Prosser was recently quoted in Rail Magazine saying: "This underpass is not safe in my view. I would close it to vehicles and upgrade the crossing and the signage."

Network Rail welcomed Prosser's comments but said: "Closing the underpass and upgrading the level crossing would require substantial investment."

John Devine/BBC A lorry passing over a level crossing - which is over the bridge and railway. The bridge is lower down to the right of the crossing and has large yellow letters, reading "low bridge". Between the two is a long metal pole with lights on top and a small white camera high up - facing down on to the road and bridge. John Devine/BBC
Motorists have two options - go under the railway line or over it

Motorists have a choice of whether to go under the bridge and railway line, or go over the railway line using the road right next to the bridge, which is controlled by a level crossing.

Network Rail added: "As there is no current funding solution in place to deliver this work, the closure of the underpass remains an unfunded aspiration."

Last year Cambridgeshire County Council, working alongside Network Rail, put in a traffic camera system to monitor the two-metre-high (6ft 6in) structure and collect data, such as general traffic information and near-misses.

The council said it regularly reviewed the bridge and "have checked all the warning signs and road markings at the bridge/level crossing".

"We'd urge drivers to check their vehicle heights," a spokesperson added.

"Whilst there have been no injury collisions at this location since August 2023, we're collecting more data which will inform any future decisions. The cameras are expected to remain in place until the end of the year."

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